Functional nanomaterials and devices are promising for applications in many fields, such as solar cells, nanoscale electronic devices, light-emitting nano devices, laser technology, waveguide, chemical and biosensors, and catalysis. Our main research interests are listed as follows:

1. Controllable syntheses of semiconductor nanomaterials and development of functional nanomaterials and nanostructures.

The target materials include silicon nanostructures (Si nanowires, Si quantum dots), carbon nanostructures (carbon nanotubes, carbon quantum dots, graphene, etc.), organic/inorganic hybrid nanomaterials, and functional nanomaterials with unique properties.

2. Chemical sensors

Nano chemical sensors are very useful in the applications of safety, health, hygiene, and anti-terrorism due to the specific interactions between nanomaterials and analytes, allowing tracking and detection of trace targets.

3. Nano catalysts and electrocatalysis

Owing to their special structures and surface properties, nanomaterials show stronger catalytic capability and higher selectivity than traditional catalysts, and become potentially useful catalytic materials in chemical industry.

4. Nano energy storage

Nanostructured materials have large surface areas and small dimensions. These structural features enable fast ion diffusion and charge transfer reaction on their surface, which are superior to their bulk counterparts. They are promising materials for energy storage such as supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries and sodium ion batteries.

5. Nano optoelectronic sensors and photovoltaic devices

Nano optoelectronic devices based on low dimensional nanostructures can break through the limitation of traditional device and show a high degree of integration. The integration of nano optical and electronics devices with different functionalities can enhance the device performance significantly.

6. Functional organic nanomaterials

We aim at the synthesis and corresponding assembly, arrays and patterns of functional organic nanomaterials based a serious of small organic molecules and find applications in optics, electronics, catalysis, sensors, bioimages and cancer therapy.

7. Nano-fabrication, micro/nano-processing technology

Nano-fabrication and micro/nano-processing technology are the basis of the applications of nanotechnology. Our goal is to establish the basic theory in nano-fabrication, create new fabrication methodologies based on principles of physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as reveal the relationship between device performance and device structure.

8. Synchrotron radiation research

We provide a multi-disciplinary platform for materials study with novel synchrotron radiation techniques. The research directions include, but not limited to, synchrotron radiation studies in nano-materials and devices, energy and environment related materials and issues, polymer and macromolecules, biomedical research, and development of novel synchrotron applications and theory.

Editor: Danting Xiang